KENT—The prospect for having public EV chargers for electric cars in town is looking brighter, according to Wendy Murphy, head of the Conservation Commission’s Green Energy Initiative.
First Selectman Martin Lindenmayer has been looking at a National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI) grant that could install EV chargers at some places in the town, such as at the town’s welcome center, the Kent Center School or perhaps near the firehouse.
The NEVI program was enacted in 2021 to help increase the number of fast EV chargers along designated “Alternative Fuel Corridors” (AFCs).
Connecticut has four AFCs, of which Route 7 is one. Approximately $52 million in funding was designated for Connecticut over the first five years of the program. But the grant comes with some challenges for towns.
The required spacing of the EV stations was such that none could be supported in Kent center under the original grant program. The requirements specified that four EV chargers be located “within one driveable mile from any exit or intersection along an AFC.”
The four-charger minimum makes it hard for many rural towns to find a location for the project.
At present, there is only one EV charger located on public land between New Milford and North Canaan, a 50-minute drive. That charger is an older model on the campus of town hall that is broken and would provide, at best, a trickle charge.
Members of the Conservation Commission recently questioned whether it would even connect with modern electric vehicles.
But now an easier solution appears to be at hand. The Mobil Corporation is offering its station owner at the corner of routes 7 and 341 a Level III charger with four ports. The owner is said to be eager to take advantage of the deal.
Level III chargers would be a boon to travelers as they can charge an electric car in as little as 30 minutes.
Murphy said that Mobil dealers who have charging stations get 15 percent of the cost of each charge and can expect additional traffic in their convenience stores.
“It’s moving forward,” said Murphy.
Murphy said the possibility is the easiest fix for the town’s lack of a charging station, noting that the neighbors should not object as there is plenty of space at the station and no change of use.
Electric vehicles are becoming more numerous so their presence in town is more frequent.
Meanwhile, Lindenmayer, who fully appreciates the economic and environmental benefits for the community of being able to accommodate electric vehicles, has joined the Charging Smart program, and is looking for ways that Kent can improve its sustainability.
By providing free expert technical assistance, Charging Smart helps local governments to establish policies, procedures and programs for deployment of electric vehicle charging equipment in their communities.
Charging Smart is in the process of expanding nationally, but its current distribution in only 11 states—Connecticut being the only one in the Northeast—demonstrates the embryonic status of the electric vehicle.
